Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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JETS Swim Team Announces 50th Anniversary of JETS Summer Classic

As one of the YMCA’s most historic youth programs, the JETS Swim Team is proud to announce the 50th Anniversary of the JETS Summer Classic Swim Meet! The JETS have welcomed thousands of swimmers, family members, volunteers, officials, and fans to this event across the last five decades, and we are so excited to bring the community together for another amazing display of competitive swimming and celebrate the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and youth development. 

JETS Summer Classic
50th Anniversary Meet

Date: June 13-15

Location:
Lake Central High School
8400 Wicker Avenue
St. John, IN 46373

We also encourage you to stay tuned to the team’s Facebook page as we share highlights from 50 years of swim team memories leading up to the meet. 

To learn more about the JETS Summer Classic, or the JETS Swim Team, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
Phone (815) 782-0805
Email: [email protected]

Sponsorships For The 2025 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic On Sale Now

Sponsorship opportunities for the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s fourth annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at ‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club, are now available. Proceeds from this year’s golf outing, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will benefit the Y’s Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, the success of all YMCA fundraising events rely heavily upon the generosity of area businesses and individuals through sponsorships. Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $250 to $5,000, with corresponding benefits are available. Presenting, leading, titanium, and graphite level sponsors are invited to purchase additional foursomes for this year’s outing before they go on sale to the general public on July 15, 2025. Dinner tickets for the 2025 Mission Strong Golf Classic are also available for $50.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN US

Fourth Annual YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic
Wednesday, September 17

Lunch – 11 a.m.
Shotgun Start – Noon

‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club
Morris, IL

Your day will include:

  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch and complimentary beverages on the course
  • A cocktail reception, dinner, and awards
  • A welcome gift, course games, prizes, raffles, and more

Cost: $700 per foursome, $50 for dinner reception only

*Foursomes and dinner tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15.

To learn more about the 2025 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0800

EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

Healthy Communities Start Here: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Celebrates National Hospital Week

This week is National Hospital Week, which celebrates hospitals and all the amazing workers who support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and compassionate care from the heart.  It also recognizes the miracles they help to make happen on a day to day basis, both large and small. During National Hospital Week, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you and your family to thank all of these dedicated individuals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, volunteers, administrators, and so many more.

At the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, we have the privilege of working with so many amazing health care professionals in our local communities.  In celebration of National Hospital Week, we’d like to thank our partners at Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers and Endeavor Health for their continued support and commitment to enhancing the health and wellness of our members and their families.

Four Tips on Finding Fulfillment During Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is dedicated to acknowledging the contributions and achievements of older Americans, while sharing the importance of finding fulfillment in the aging process. In honor of this month, here are a few tips from the Administration for Community Living on how to find fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age. 

1. Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy and energy.

Did you know the Y offers group and water fitness classes as well as specialty fitness and dance programs? You can view our group fitness schedules here or by using the YMCA on the Go App. To register for specialty fitness/dance programs, click here. 

2. Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes and creative activities.

Did you know the Y partners with Endeavor Health and Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers to offer health, wellness, and education seminars throughout the year?  

3. Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.

Did you know the Y offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities? Learn more and apply to volunteer by clicking here. 

4. Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends and community members.

Did you know the YMCA’s Fab 50 program offers a wide variety of activities and special events to bring the community together? This includes Dancing through the Decades at the Galowich Family YMCA on Friday, May 23! Register today by clicking here or stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit to learn more about upcoming outings at your local YMCA branch.

National Water Safety Month 2025: Six Tips to Help Kids Stay Safe

May is National Water Safety Month. When the weather starts to heat up, the pools, lakes, oceans, rivers and other bodies of water start calling! While swimming can be a very enjoyable activity this summer, it is important to remind all parents and caregivers of the importance of water safety. That is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is sharing these six tips on how children can stay safe in and around the water.

Tip # 1: Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water.

Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.

Tip # 2: Never swim alone without a water watcher.

When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

Tip # 3: Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water.

Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.

Tip # 4: Don’t engage in breath holding activities.

Both adults and children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.

Tip # 5: Wear a life jacket.

Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.

Tip # 6: Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water.

If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer under water. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them, and pull them to safety. By using this technique, an adult or child can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

You can also ensure your child’s safety by enrolling them in swim lessons at the Y. Just like teaching your children to look both ways before they cross the street, having them participate in formal water safety lessons teaches them an important life skill. Learn more about our swim lesson curriculum and schedules here, and register online today!

JETS Swimmers Post Successful Winter Performances


It was an amazing winter season for the JETS Swim Team as they claimed multiple team titles at local and state competitions and put forth performances that etched new marks in the program record book!

Highlights from the winter included:

IL Swimming Winter Regional Championships
February 28-March 2
Lincoln Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL

Logan Despojo, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, Daniel Venhrynovych, Simon Zapanta, and Holly Zilinger all won individual event titles.

Sadcopen broke a team record in the 200 yard backstroke that had been held since 1983 and Venhrynovych set a new team record in the 50 yard butterfly.

“We had 29 athletes compete and it was a very successful meet with over 75% of our swims being personal best times. We had a total of 60 top 8 finishes awarded on the podium,” JETS head coach Dave Hedden said. 

IL Senior Championships
March 6-9
UIC Natatorium in Chicago, IL

The boys 200 yard medley relay team of Hermes Sadcopen, Chris Johnson, Elliot Martillo, and Daniel Venhrynovych qualified for YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“Hermes also broke the team record in the 50 yard backstroke while Chris set new team records in the 50 yard and 200 yard breaststrokes, the latter of which had been held since 1984,” Hedden said.   

Chicago Suburban YMCA District Championships
March 8
Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake, IL

The JETS won the overall team meet for the second consecutive year after claiming Girls 12-U, 14-U, and 21-U age division titles as well as a clean sweep of the Boys 10-U, 12-U, 14-U, and 21-U age division titles.

“104 JETS swimmers participated with 21 athletes combining for 31 event victories,” Hedden said.

Event winners included: Aaryahi Amin, Haily Beringer, Rachel DeMille, Evan Delcid, Nolan Ewah, Jaden Habon, Filip Hajnos, Hadley Howard, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Kerr, Elliot Martillo, Shivaay Punjwani, Hastin Sadcopen, Hermes Sadcopen, Ava Sorensen, Daniel Venhrynovych, Alex Watkins, Brooke Wojcik, Aria Yui, Holly Zilinger, Shane Zilinger.

IL 11-14 Age Group Championships
March 13-14
FMC Natatorium in Westmont, IL

The quartet of Chris Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, and Daniel Venhrynovych took 4th in the 200 yard freestyle relay and 6th in the 200 yard medley relay.

“The relay team bettered their own record in the medley and their time in the 200 freestyle broke a record that had been held since 1985,” Hedden said. “Hermes also broke the team record for 13-14 boys 50 yard freestyle and Chris broke his own team record in the 100 yard breaststroke.”

IL YMCA State Championships
March 14-16
Central High School in St. John, Indiana

The JETS had 58 athletes compete and claimed a title in the Boys 14-U age division.

Individual state champions included Chris Johnson, Evan Johnson, and Hermes Sadcopen.

Chris Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, and Daniel Venhrynovych teamed up to win first place in the 14-U 200 yard freestyle and 200 yard medley relays.

We are so proud of all the amazing things our JETS swimmers have done so far in 2025 and we wish them the best as they prepare for their summer season! If you would like to learn more about the team, please contact Dave Hedden at [email protected] or (815) 782-0805.

You can also see additional updates on the JETS Facebook page.

United Way